Windows 7: How to read data from a faulty HDD

I have checked my BIOS drivers in system informations, and it says my current driver is 1101 from 5/18/2009. So then i went to the Asus manufactures site and searched for P5N-D BIOS Drivers
I selected my OS and downloaded the "newest" version- 1401 as a .zip file. I extracted the archive and a 1401.BIN file came out.
I don't know how to install this now, and some help would be good




p.s. I've reduced the OC on my CPU in order to keep it safe

You need to create a DOS Boot disk (See Bootdisk.Com) and download and copy the Phoenix Award BIOS flash tool version 1.34 from the same ASUS site and the BIN file and run the exe tool with the bin file to update the BIOS.

I updated my BIOS to the latest version (1401), and then again tried to boot with the faulty drive.
At first the mobo screen appeared reaaalllyyy fast! (3 times faster then usual), and there was no BEEEP from the mobo. Then i hit DEL to enter setup (it took 20 sec to enter bios - 5 times longer then usual). Bios sees the 160 bad drive and every thing appears normal. Then I hit ESC and selected Windows7 for my os (I have a dual boot-but when I choose the other system it wont boot with it -complicated).

Again the boot was stuck on the Windows loading screen, but i noticed the front panel LED light (HDD light) was blinking on every 2-3 seconds- that wasn't the case before.

After removing the bad drive windows booted up normal...

Can you boot form Windows 7 install DVD, Windows 7 system repair disk? Or advanced boot options (where you see safe mode) and select repair my computer. So you see this


Select command prompt there:
Is bad disk listed? Is the number 0,1,2 or ....?

No i can't
Every time i try the boot gets stuck @ the windows loading screen-even if i boot from system disk (In BIOS i set the DVD drive for 1st boot device).

I also tried to run safe mode, safe mode with networking and safe mode with command prompt. No use, every time it gets stuck on the driver loading screen (I left it for 20 min.).
Also tried out this tutorial but neither does option 1 or 2 work for me...
What should i do next?

Even boot from Windows 7 install disk/Windows 7 repair disk freeze at same point?

Yes

Windows 7 and windows boot disks check for disks and partitions on startup. But if my memory is fine... you tried to install winxp on that bad harddisk... correct? That winxp install CD booted fine?

I'm late to this party, but I'd like to ask a stupid question.

Why can't you put the suspect hd into an external enclosure - then plug it in after you reach the desktop? Don't try to boot with both connected.

correct! I did try to install XP on the bad drive, but it failed to install @ 2/3 of the setup. After that fail i put the HDD to side, and yesterday, after 2 months i tried again to do the same(in both cases the bad drive was only connected). This time, the setup failed @1/3 of installation process, and there was no BSOD or any message saying why the setup failed, just a restart and it didn't continue installing.
I was thinking about Ubuntu Linux. maybe to install it to he bad drive, pick up data to a Flash memory and try to format it... What do you say for that idea? Would it work?
p.s. I would have to download a pirate version of linux, because i don't know anyone who has it, and i can't buy it anywhere...